“Indians rightly take pride in a democracy that has survived dictatorship, wars, regional conflicts and the growing threat of religious extremism and sectarian division. The system in India is robust enough to weather more shocks and tensions than the totalitarian regimes of most of its neighbours.

“What matters, however, is not the quantity of India’s democracy but its quality. And here the hard questions go beyond a simple choice between Congress or the BJP.

“Is democracy really working in India? Does it offer voters any real choice? And has it developed party structures disciplined enough to go beyond dynastic politics or the factionalism that is driven by personality, regional factors—and all too often—corruption?

“There have been hopes that Indian democracy will settle into two broad coalitions, led by Congress and BJP, representing a broad Left-Right choice… The hopes are premature. In opposition, the BJP has reverted to a narrow sectarian stance, and in power Congress has shown itself weak and indecisive—despite the popularity and probity of Manmohan Singh.

“They offer no rival visions for India’s place in the world, no competing plans for the economy, no serious differnces on social policy. The world’s biggest democracy means little without a clear choice.”

hogo-le. oh yeah? there is world of difference between all sundry groups in the west? in economics, foreign policy and social policy? tell me another. kaaliflower on the ear only this argument is.

just because politicians there can yap about sundry issues doesnot mean anything. they all walk on the dotted line. is there a party in the west that has a fundamentally different take on the issue of israel? on evangelism, on colonialism, etc etc… all differences are puff and powder differences.

jetti bidru meese maNaaglilvante. save your boat sir. we will take care of ourselves. the most irritating thing is modern day brits still continue to live under the assumption that they know the sub-continent well, despite p-number of things blowing up on their faces time and time again. that would still be fine, if only we were not the ones left behind to clean up after them.

tarlesubba – I think you are being just a little uncharitable by lambasting the West as it has become. Of course I do not deny that they all walk on the dotted line…but that line is hardly one that will preserve and protect them and theirs.

They have it seems, borrowed heavily from our country in this respect. Ideology at least.

Israel does not evoke the kind of support it did. There are European countries and now Obama’s US that will not think twice before selling it down the tube. This does not include Left-Secular Jews in Israel itself who see their State as an unwanted headache they could have done without. (I can attest to all of these assertions)

Colonialism? Pride in it its history? Where in Europe can one see it? 3/4ths of the time they are self-flagellating themselves for the “evil” things they did…that is when they are not busy inviting diversity to make up for past “crimes”. (Again, evidences available)

I have often wondered about Evangelism. Well, does it make much difference when the Pope and his men spend their time apologizing for their correct views on Islam? So, where is that famed self-confidence?

Western Evangelism could have been a threat to us as a Civilization IF this Evangelism was meant to do what it started out to in the first place – Spread Western Christian Religio/Social values as an ally of their politics. When the West itself is forsaking its Civilization and self-preserving politics so willingly, it will not take long for it to strangle its Indian spawn.

Conversely, Western Civilization can hope to survive if they can harness this Evangelistic energy and divert it within. The West needs to regain its nearly lost sense of identity. For Hindus, we need a strong West to be our ally.

I don’t see why a non-Evangelizing Western Christianity cannot be our ally.